Clean Windows XP

[xxkrnbabigrlxx]

I want to do a clean installation of windows XP home but i dont want it to overwrite it onto my previous XP pro edition. when i install it will it over write it or is there a option of cleaning it and then installing?

or do i just have to call toshiba and ask them how to clean my whole computer?


also is it ok if i install my home edition onto a pro edition? Thanks

[snooker]

First off what do you mean home and pro , Do you have 2 operating system on your toshiba ?? Also because its a brand name was your windows operating system preinstall ???

[xxkrnbabigrlxx]

home- windows home
pro- windows proffesional

[Miz]

XP Home cannot be installed over XP Pro but XP Pro can be installed over XP Home.

Toshibas come with "Recovery" or "Restore" CDs...at least they did two years ago. I've reformatted and reinstalled Win98 on a Toshiba using a Win98 CD because the owner couldn't find his Toshiba disk and it was a headache. Much easier to use the Toshiba disk since laptops have unique hardware needing specific drivers. (The only reason I got it done at all was that I had another computer with broadband on which I could download all those drivers, burn them to CD and start installing them one by one)

If you don't have a recovery/restore CD, call Toshiba and see if you can get one from them.

Once you have the CD, put it in the CD drive, reboot the computer and see if it will boot to the CD. If not, you'll need to reboot once again, go into the BIOS to put the CD drive first in the boot order and try again.

Once you have it booting to the CD, just read each screen as it comes up and follow the directions.

[xxkrnbabigrlxx]

but wonder if i clean out xp pro and then install xp home?

[Miz]

If by "clean out" you mean repartition/reformat the drive to wipe it clean and then install XP Home, the answer is yes.

If you mean to try to delete all XP Pro files and then install Home, the answer is a qualified no. Since the operating system can't be deleted while it's running, you'll have to figure out a way to access the files on the drive without starting Windows. Since XP doesn't have true DOS, that most likely entails making the requisite 6 boot floppies, learning how to use them and try it from there. You'll have to be sure to get everything, including the registry. Since taking out the registry will also disable all the other software you have installed, you'll end up reinstalling all of it...so the end result is essentially the same as reformatting, only with less chance of success and a whole lot more work.